An atmospheric and chilling crime thriller from an internationally bestselling author, perfect for readers of Ann Cleeves and Peter James.If the system can't make them pay, then he will . . .Former chief of police, Ubbo Heide, is enjoying a peaceful seaside retirement - until a gruesome package containing a severed head turns up on his doorstep and catapults him back into a world he left behind.When a torso is found on the local beach, it's assumed it's from the same victim. That is until a second head turns up. As the investigation reaches fever pitch, Chief Inspector Ann Kathrin Klaasen, now assigned to the case, realises that the two victims are connected. Soon it's clear that this quiet coastal community is facing a brutal serial killer. One who is taking justice into his own hands . . . Views: 309
Being a Secret Service agent is one of the most treacherous jobs in the world and never more so than in today's highly polarized America. Facing threats from fence jumpers and manifesto writers, and from fanatical terrorists and sophisticated spies, protecting the president is harder than ever. In an age of hyper-partisan politics, emotions are high and crazies are a dime a dozen. On top of that, with international tensions reaching a boiling point, it's harder than ever to determine friend from foe. Yet the President of the United States is in very real danger if the Secret Service doesn't change course soon and evolve with the rapidly changing threat environment. Highly motivated "bad guys" are already working on technologically advanced methodologies and are constantly striving to formulate the logistics of an attack on the White House. Eventually terrorist planners will find a way to acquire the technology, weapons, explosives, and know-how to make an attempt... Views: 309
Featuring a nice mix of real life humorous stories, spoof satirical material, and some just plain silly stuff. It's Free by way of an introduction to new comedy writer Paul's work. The author is influenced by UK comedian's Spike Milligan, Michael Bentine & Tony Hancock whilst retaining his own unique writing style! So if English humour is your thing worth a peep at.When birthed into the world as the son of the great Mendac LeAnce, miraculous feats are expected from you. Mendac was the Fifth of Five, making him the final hero in the Of Five—a five-part series of fairy tales that stretches over 1,500 years.Bryson, unfortunately, was given the impossible task of following in his dead father's footsteps. And after sixteen years of mediocrity, the only time people notice him is to ridicule his existence. The world has given up on Mendac's son.But there are two people on Bryson's side: a stone-faced, lifelong best friend who's never expressed an emotion in her life, and a secret-riddled man who has taken care of Bryson since his father's death. They're his rocks. He has learned to appreciate and lean on their friendship, regardless of their more mysterious sides … even if those mysteries put Bryson's life in jeopardy.Things are looking up for the young LeAnce as the new school year at Phesaw begins. He receives a letter informing him of his induction into the recreation of the Jestivan, an elite group of students that had only existed once in the school's history—a group his father was once a member of thirty years prior. Its formation presents the opportunity of new friends for Bryson. But when ten highly talented students come together, there is bound to be conflict.Warring personalities and competitive attitudes are minor hurdles, however, considering the fact that warring kingdoms are more pressing. A 1,500-year war boils over as a traitor turns his back on his realm, threats of a dangerous king rising from the ashes begin to surface, one of the Jestivan goes missing, and someone close to Bryson is hiding something with more regard for the thing being protected than Bryson's life.The Jestivan must develop camaraderie, and do it fast. Otherwise, they're going to have to force it. And that can end in devastation. Views: 309
The world can be a very strange and alienating place. Jen has known this all her life, and at last she may have found someone else who knows it too. But time is fleeting, as Jen is all too aware, and no matter how desperately she wants to prevent its passing, it seems she never can. Perhaps the answer lies within the grandfather clock…The Rise of Germania ~ The Warlord has stolen the greatest treasure that the 5th Worlde has ever known, and he flees the Oriental Empire, heading homeward. Empress Wu is perusing her former lover, who is accompanied by a ragged Holy Man, a Templar Knight, and the Brothers Polo.In Germania, Old King Henry, the Lion of Bavaria is murdered. His wife, Matilda, The Holy Roman Empress plots to cease the throne and use the might of Bavaria to reclaim her title as the true Queen of England, and of its empire.However, she has not allowed for the ambition of the Head Eunuch and Volker, the chancellor, who intend to usurp the power and rule through the puppet prince.Yet the Warlord and his hedge priest have plans of their own.Milo and his brother Ziggy, are poor Bavarian country boys, fresh from the battle of Bronhöved, they are now caught up in the High Fuhrer's war, as the Unification of Germania begins. Views: 309
The New York Times bestselling Elemental Assassin series continues with a new e-novella--from the point of view of Finnegan Lane, the foster brother of Gin Blanco, and a fan favorite of readers of the series.
The fallout from his disastrous “family reunion” in Bitter Bite has left Finn feeling hurt, angry, and depressed. He can barely stand to look at himself in the mirror, much less eat any of the delicious barbecue from Gin’s famed Pork Pit restaurant.
But when the funeral for a slain security guard at his bank turns into a showdown with some nasty underworld giants, Finn knows that he must act in order to protect an innocent family.
Finnegan Lane might be the most unwanted man in Ashland these days, but he’s determined to try to make amends for his past mistakes... Views: 309
Living in the Age of Exploration, a girl named Chunni, went on an adventurous Voyage to Southeast Asia and was caught in a tsunami. she lost her memory and drifted from island to island, suffering from an array of inflictions including abandonment, torture, severe illness, and imprisonment. To search for her lost past, Chunni was willing to devote the rest of her life at any price. The sea bound up her tragic destiny with a number of figures such as pirates, tribal chiefs, eunuchs. Views: 308
Will Hawthorne has been running since the day his baby brother was killed.
He takes the jobs no one else wants, pitches in when he’s needed and never complains, all in an effort to win back the trust of his brothers at the Aces and Eights Motorcycle Club.
Then he catches sight of Molly Duncan across a crowded bar.
He’d grown up with her, known her when she had lopsided pigtails and buck teeth, and had watched uninterested as she’d caught the eye of their high school football star.
She’d also been his nurse on the worst night of his life.
He wants her and he gets her… and it’s better than he could have ever imagined.
But Molly isn’t interested in his life at the MC. She’s got her own life as a nurse and a single mom to her little girl.
As Molly and Will grow closer, Will is pulled in two different directions.
Life with the Aces or life with Molly and her daughter.
When he leaves Molly without a word, his decision is clear.
He knows immediately that it was the wrong one.
Unfortunately for Will, a strong woman like Molly doesn’t forgive easily. Views: 308
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The official novelization of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the blockbuster film directed by J. J. Abrams • Includes two tie-in short stories: "The Perfect Weapon" by Delilah S. Dawson and "Bait" by Alan Dean Foster More than thirty years ago, Star Wars burst onto the big screen and became a cultural phenomenon. Now the next adventures in this blockbuster saga are poised to captivate old and new fans alike—beginning with the highly anticipated Star Wars: The Force Awakens. And alongside the cinematic debut comes the thrilling novel adaptation by New York Times bestselling science fiction master Alan Dean Foster. Set years after Return of the Jedi, this stunning new action-packed adventure rockets us back into the world of Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, C-3PO, R2-D2, and Luke Skywalker, while introducing a host of exciting new characters. Darth Vader... Views: 308
Elizabeth's and Jane’s future looked bleak: Mama had wasted her money after Papa died, and Lydia married a blacksmith. Now they were barely seen as gentlewomen, but Elizabeth refused to ever let herself be unhappy. She still believed they would marry for love.
Darcy's uncle had been an exemplary guardian after Father died, but it was annoying how he insisted Darcy always keep a mistress. He pushed a new woman on Darcy every single time Darcy grew bored and ended an affair. Not again. This time he'd find his own woman. He wanted a woman he could talk and laugh with. Someone like the vivacious Miss Elizabeth. But even though her family had fallen far, he did not believe she would accept the only arrangement he could offer...From the Author
This is another romantic comedy like The Return, but I think it is even funnier. But Elizabeth is in a fairly terrible position, and while she forces herself to be bright and happy, beneath that is the worry about Jane and the future:
As always, Darcy counted how many dances he participated in, and he at last fulfilled his promise to his uncle to always dance half of sets.
Now for his favorite ballroom pastime -- staring at paintings.
Darcy's occupation as a wall ornament required some art: if he just watched the dance, people walking around the edge of the room stopped to talk to him. Instead he found a good painting or sculpture and stand with a heavy frown staring at it while stroking his chin. If a particularly obnoxious person approached, he faced the opposite direction and started humming.
Often Darcy actually studied the painting, sometimes he watched the people milling about or listened to the music; most frequently he would simply think.
A well-equipped mind never faced true boredom, except in the presence of others.
The walls of Meryton's assembly hall had no interesting decorations, and while he did not look directly at her, Darcy's attention was drawn to a young woman who sat near. She was pretty, but not near so very pretty as the girl Bingley danced with first. It was not her beauty which drew his eye, there was something in her expression and manner that was interesting.
She seemed caught by some melancholy deeper than unhappiness over not having a partner. Her face went through odd changes: she at first sat down with an unhappy huff, paying no attention to Darcy, who stood just a few feet away in apparent deep perusal of the brushstrokes used to capture George III's nose.
Her eyebrows were tightly drawn together, and she looked forlorn and close to tears. There was something so fetching in the cast of her cheeks that Darcy felt a desire to protect and help her, and he seriously considered seeking out an introduction so that he might have an opportunity to cheer her up through flirtation and conversation.
She leaned her head against the wall and closed her eyes. Her hairstyle was simple, none of the complicated woven flowers and intertwined braiding that fashionable women preferred. Just a simple bun and curls. Her hair was a vibrant healthy brown and it half covered her pretty ears. She had a pert nose.
A soft smile crossed her face, and for a little she was the very image of peaceful repose. There was something in her face that seemed made more for smiles and happiness than frowns. She was unfashionably freckled and tanned. Bit by bit the smile faded away into a hard frown. She breathed more heavily, and her color rose. Then she sighed and tried to smile again, but it did not hold and her full lips turned down into a frown.
Darcy wanted to convince her it would be all right.
Then she reached a resolution and sat straight. She formed her hand into a delicate fist and shook it at whatever troubled her.
Absorbed in watching the unguarded behavior of the girl, Darcy had not noticed Bingley's approach.
His friend loudly said something, and Darcy startled and turned to Bingley with a severe frown. "Why do you bother me?"
"The night is barely half done -- you must dance again. Are not my neighbors grand people?"
"Leave me alone -- earlier you danced with the prettiest creature in the room, ask her for another dance, and let me enjoy myself in my own manner."
Bingley shook his head. "Caroline discovered her connections; they are very low."
"You still have no reason to bother me."
"Be sensible, man! There are so many deuced pretty girls here -- what might I say to convince you to dance more?"
"I do not enjoy the art."
"But ladies enjoy it when you practice the art. By Gad, I wish I were as tall as you."
Darcy shrugged, and the tilt of his shoulders expressed a smug self-satisfaction.
"It is astonishing. You look precisely like your uncle Matlock when you do that."
"I do pattern myself off him."
"Aha! He would dance again -- a very pretty girl sits behind us. Ask her."
Darcy hesitated. He looked at the girl again, openly this time.
She turned her eyes towards him, and their gazes met. Her eyes were a deep brown. There was something in them... Darcy felt as though he was obliged -- or maybe he wished -- to do something for her. He kept the girl's eyes and grinned at her. It was a smile Derwent and Richard had drilled into him, one which showed both of his dimples. "She is a remarkably lovely girl. One more dance tonight might be possible."
Her cheeks reddened, and she met his eye with a confused half smile. Darcy's heart beat faster, and he felt the familiar tendrils of desire. He hadn't known a woman for three months.
Darcy called one of the local notables to come over. "Sir William! Introduce us to this delightful young lady."
She had stood and approached them cautiously. The dress swayed around her, and left her rounded elbows bare. Her head only reached to the top of Darcy's chest. "Mr. Darcy, may I present Miss Elizabeth Bennet? She is the cousin of my son-in-law, Mr. Collins."
Darcy took her warm hand in its white glove. "Might I hope the gentlemen of this assembly have been such fools as to leave you an open slot in your dance card? For else my evening shall be ruined by my foolishness in not securing the hand of such a goddess."
"You certainly can hope that I have a free dance," Miss Elizabeth replied with a lively smile. "But as for the discovery, I must hear you beg before I can say."
Darcy grinned into her bright eyes, and then she blushed and looked down. "I mean to say: yes, my card is mostly empty. I am free for the next dance."
"Are you certain you do not need me to beg?"
She looked back up at him and puffed one of her round cheeks out with her tongue. With her eyes smiling, she adopted a serious expression and nodded slowly. "I think you must beg."
"Miss Elizabeth, your loveliness has knocked my soul to the ground, your eyes with their lovely color like that of the richest chocolate, they have pierced me through the breast." Darcy tapped on his chest and looked down. "Hmmm. I'd expected to see blood. Could you look to make sure you do not see any."
Miss Elizabeth giggled and peered closely at his coat and the bottom of his gleaming neck cloth. "I believe it was just a metaphor. I can see no blood. It is fortuitous for you, but it would have been a great distinction for me if I'd killed a gentleman with merely a glance."
About the Author
I am from California and have been reading Pride and Prejudice fan fiction for a while. I first discovered Pride and Prejudice on a long day of travel out of Mexico as a teenager. I recall being very impressed with myself for getting the jokes. I constantly read nineteenth century literature that year, of which Austen and Charlotte Bronte, of course, were my favorites. It was years later that I discovered and repeatedly binge read Pride and Prejudice fan fiction. Now I am adding to the collection available for future binge readers to binge upon. Views: 308
Living as a carpenter who had spent time working in a watch factory, Georg Elser was just an ordinary member of society living in Munich. That is, however, until he took it upon himself to attempt to assassinate the Führer, Adolph Hitler. Being a common man who opposed the Nazi regime, Elser took his skills that he had learned, and worked to assemble his own bomb detonator. Every night, he would head to the Munich Beer Hall, where he would work on assembling the bomb that he planned to kill Hitler with, in a hollowed out space near the speaker's podium.The bomb went off successfully, killing eight people. Hitler was not one of them. This is the story, scene by scene, of the events that led up to Georg Elser taking justice into his own hands, his attempt to murder the Führer, and what happened after the bomb went off. The Lone Assassin is a powerfully gripping tale that places you in 1939, as you follow Elser from the Munich Beer Hall, across the border, and sadly,... Views: 308
